9/19/14 Ezekiel 14
As
Christians we want to share the hope within us, but we often don’t know how to
start the conversation. It is hard
enough with people we know and love, but what about the stranger on the street
or a fellow shopper in a store whom we aren't sure what we have in common
with? I’m not too proud to admit I need an
excuse or a “crutch” to start a conversation, and I often use interesting
Gospel tracts as conversation starters.
Here’s how a recent exchange began with a young man who was browsing in
the DVD aisles at a Target store: I
gave him a “Trillion Dollar” gospel
tract and he laughed in surprise but politely refused to take it. I wondered why so I asked “If this really was
a trillion dollars, do you think you would deserve it?” He – Ezekiel – laughed and said he would
not. I continued – “What this is is a
Gospel tract, which means it tells about how we can be in a right relationship
with God and be with Him forever in heaven.
So what do you think would be more valuable – a trillion dollars or
being in heaven forever?” “Heaven of course”
“So in the same way, do you think you would deserve heaven?” This led to a longer conversation about the
Gospel and how it is Jesus – not our good deeds – that is our hope for
salvation and the only basis on which we might be forgiven. Ezekiel was just a teenager and quieter than most people I talk
to and I began to wonder if he was comprehending what I was saying when
suddenly he responded “These are good questions. I often close the door to my room and just
sit there and think about them. This
helps a lot.” I hope it does. I hope he will receive the gift of salvation
that is Jesus even though none of us deserve Him.
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